Haircut One Hundred
Pelican West

THE REVIEW

They were unfortunately a transitory group, but they were also one of the brightest bands of the '80s, close to Aztec Camera and influenced by Orange Juice.

Six English lads, fresh-faced and full of pure potential energy to spare, a fact confirmed by this amazing album "Pelican West," an explosive volcano of Jazz-Funky, Afro-American-Latin rhythm, and whatever else you might add, such purity in sounds and lyrics and an electrifying beat, never before had there been such energy in all the tracks of a complete album, never!

But fundamental and representative is Nick Heyward's voice, a loose cannon... There's not much to say about the band since they lasted for three years at most, with only two albums under their belt, but the tangible sign of a well-ripe fruit is right here, which brought them fame and top charts in England and beyond. Wonderful and unforgettable to me, because it's truly beautiful, a guaranteed avalanche of joy for the soul, and without any doubt, if only there were more bands like this, what years those were! Twelve tracks to sweat to and a series of... how to lose weight while having fun, just kick off your shoes and let go.... "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" is an atomic explosion of trumpets, Afro-Latin percussion, it's impossible to stay still, it's a burst of rhythm and total singing "Love Plus One" wonderful ballad, the opening xylophone accompanies sax, acoustic guitars, and clarinets "Lemon Firebrigade" all the imaginable possible instruments huddled together in a sort of exotic carnival "Marine Boy" trumpet, percussion, electric guitars, piano, and the sweet voice of Nick in full swing chasing each other in a sort of round dance "Milk Film" the roar of this convertible approaching at full speed, introduces a guaranteed crazy scenic ride "Kingsize (You’re My Little Steam Whistle)" the "most difficult" track in rhythm-sound-voice without a break, and the percussion prevail as always "Fantastic Day" stop to rest for a moment? It's not possible, and so the dancing continues infinitelyyyyyyyyy "Baked Bean" water bubbles, jungle calls screaming, crazy trumpets and the percussion is breathtaking!

"Show Girl" seemed like there was finally a slow track, but what am I saying! I can't believe it was a temporary illusion and whoever stops is lost! "Love’s Got Me In Triangles" anthem of love to shout at the top of your lungs, charismatic voice at its peak "Surprise Me Again" drives me crazy this piece, it's a sort of exotic fruit salad to devour in one bite "Calling Captain Autumn" the final track sung by nightingales and megaphone voices is a race of vocal succession that can't be described, the most beautiful of the album, pure adrenaline, I would say.

Summing up, categorically it's impossible to stay still, you feel a global push penetrating your skin until it explodes in your brain. Guys? I collapsed to the ground, I'm out of breath.... WHAT AN ALBUM!!!!!!